Show idea - local PSA-only show, Boston area

dgbaseball

We're thinking about promoting a Boston area PSA-only show. Every dealer case, all graded PSA cards. No raw, no old programs, no modern boxes, no card supplies, no memorabilia, no autographs etc. Basically a PSA set builders show. Wouldn't be looking to attract national dealers at least at first. Obviously, it's a limited audience and wouldn't be a very large show. But I think it could be marketed well, and maybe get PSA involved somehow. You wouldn't have all the typical show BS pricing and chaos. Everyone knows what everything is worth, attracting informed and intelligent customers and fair dealers.

Any thoughts on how this might go over and/or interest from you NE folks?

Onlypsahockey

I think its a great idea. Grading isn't widely appreciated here in Boston but a show like this would help. Getting PSA onboard would be a huge step as onsite grading would make the show. Count me in and PM me if you need any help.

Thanks, Bob C.

RipublicaninMass

I think it would be good. The only issue is that most card dealers are asking 2x SMR for cards which are available on ebay for SMR or less. I would definately try to help out in any way as well. Keep me posted!

gameusedhoop

It is a great idea, but not very feasible in my opinion. Not only do most PSA dealers charge SMR++++ for their graded cards, but most PSA collectors collect just certain sets and know where to find the cards that they are looking for. Most collectors that are interested in PSA stuff already have relationships with the big PSA dealers through mail order or Ebay. I think that it would be difficult to get dealers to pay for space, spend a full day, travel, pay for hotels and meals just for a one shot deal with a limited customer base. Thsi is why I stopped doing shows around 1992, and went to online sales in 1999, after doing just mail order for the 7 years in between. Setting up was just too much hassle, even for a couple grand a weekend.

The "big" shows around here (Tri-Star, Shriner's) already attract the bigger, national dealers, of both PSA and raw cards. Most of these guys have been coming here for years and have fostered relationships with collectors. I don't think too many of them would need to come this way again to make a few more sales with the added overhead.

I buy mostly early 70s PSA hockey and I see very little of it around here at the big shows, and the stuff I do see is priced at 2x what it would go for on Ebay. I usually just come home with some raw stuff that I'll send in myself and this works pretty well as the value added by the PSA grading is very high when you know what you are looking for and buying.

I wish you luck if you decide to pull it together and give it a try, and I will go as a customer if it happens. As far as setting up I wouldn't, as I turn my PSA inventory on Ebay very quickly and don't have to worry about carrying costs. I would rather make $20 10 times in two months than try to make $100 by holding a card as a museum display for 6 months at a time. I find that the guys with the largest inventories are the ones with the highest prices. The displays look good but most of the stuff isn't moving at all.

Just my opinions, Good Luck, STEVE.

baseballfanatic

While it may sound good to PSA diehards, 99% of going to a show is about freedom of choice and being able to see all that is out there. SGC and GAI have a niche also, and most set builders have no problem with buying other holders and cracking them out at a later date to add to thier set registry. Promoting a show means having a wide selection to try and gather as many people as possible into an area to try and let them see all that is available so they can get involved in more things. To me, it sounds like going to an appliance show that is only carrying toasters.....

RayBShotz

This Mainer would be there.
RayBShotz

mercurynut

Totally dumb idea!

dgbaseball

I've probably made it sound a little more specific than I have in mind. I didn't mean any non-psa card would be shredded and burned if discovered. But more generally, a primarily vintage show, not just in theory like so many that are promoted, but in reality. Not just a handful of vintage guys and bunch of nitwits with 2002 Heritage laid out in top loaders across their tables. We'd target tables for dealers and collectors with lots of graded inventory. Lots of the stuff many of us have and want to get rid of. One key to a show like this is coverage. As mentioned, most PSA collectors are somewhat specific in what they're looking for. And to make it worth it for anyone, we'd need good coverage across all sports, commons/stars etc. It would have to be a show that many customers knew they could hit each quarter and more than likely pick up a dozen or so graded cards at a good price for the sets they like. As for pricing and typical show nonsense, I think it would be more like an organized gathering of collectors which would eliminate a lot of that. Most graded collectors are usually quite knowledgable about the industry and know what can be gotten on ebay for what price. Anyone trying to rape customers at a show like this just wouldn't sell anything. It's the nature of the graded product, which is why I like the idea.

fdnyladder7

Good idea. Anything involving vintage would be perfect for Boston "The Hub of America" and Sporting News' Best Sports City in 2002, 2004, is No. 1 again in 2005. As a bonus, you may just see Elvis!

dgbaseball

If DaBigHurt shows up, it will undoubtedly be a huge success....

jackstraw

I would go . If I remember correctly there use to be a pre75 show in Albany 4 times a year? I never went but I heard it was a great show and had good turnouts from collectors and dealers. The Boston College High School shows were awesome! I used to go everytime. I wish someone would do that show again?

carew4me

Dealers just are not competative with Ebay.

I am not sure what the draw would be?

kennylow

I live in the Boston area, and I would go. But I wouldn't be too excited about finding anything at the price I want to buy them for. Even at the National, most of the cards were over-priced compared to ebay/catalog auctions. So while I would be interested, and would bring sufficient funds in case I found something, I doubt I'd actually spend anything.

pandrews

<< <i>Not just a handful of vintage guys and bunch of nitwits with 2002 Heritage laid out in top loaders across their tables. >>



most people on this board like heritage.. even "vintage" guys..

1420sports

I don't think that it would a success at first. I would imagine that many dealers already have their 2006 shows scheduled, and a "new" show on the circuit might not be that attractive. There is travel involved which would be extensive for most dealers.

I go to the Fort Washington show 4 times a year. I go in knowing pretty much what cards are going to be there and what the prices will be. PSA cards at shows are overpriced, but there are those exceptions and bargains do come up. Shoeless Joe is always priced right, and I always pick up a card or two from him.

Another option would be to open it up to the "part time" dealer ... the one with a decent collection of PSA cards that would be willing to shell out the 50 (and up) per table. I set up at the Fort once, and I had a blast. I also made a nice profit after my expenses (300 table fee) but that was during the hot modern graded market. Last time I checked, it wasn't that hot.

Overall I think it is a good idea, and if you focus on a firehall type show at first, it may grow into a nice show.

Good luck.

WinPitcher

So, when is the show?


SD

gameusedhoop

Didn't you hear? The show was all set up, dealers were ready to bring their stuff in, and DG just left! This time he didn't bother to say goodbye.

ctsoxfan

Sounds great, and if this were to actually happen, I would be there. But as mentioned - I don't think this would ultimately prove successful for dealers, who will be looking to get SMR++++ for anything slabbed. At least with Ebay, the true market comes into play each and every day...so, if a 1962 common PSA 8 (for example) has no interest, it would sell for an appropriate price. The show dealer will no doubt be looking for every bit of what the SMR (or Beckett) says it's worth, which of course is often different from the real world.

It would be fun to look at all the cards though, I guess. Levi 707 could bring his museum of slabs for us to look at, since he rarely wants to sell any of them anyway.

yankeeno7

Jackstraw
I live in Albany and you are right...the pre 1976 show is 3 or 4 times a year. It's not bad...but would not consider it a great show. It has a decent turnout but wouldnt blow you out of the water. It's often times difficult to find a decent deal but every now and then you can. There are a couple of excellent vintage dealers...you will know who they are because their tables are always crowded while many of the others sit there and watch because their prices are so outragous.

stevek

There's already a PSA show right now...it's called ebay and sooner or later almost "every" card shows up there and at the "right" price. I go to card shows looking for raw cards to get graded to collect and to resell.

ctsoxfan

Barry, when is the next show up in Albany? Or, did we just miss one?

yankeeno7

Im not at home right now but I will find out and post for you.